50 New Ways to Blow Things Up is a PDF of new evocation spells for D&D 3.5. The supplement has two things going for it that I really like. The first is that the spells appear useful, balanced, playtested, and follow the rules for creating new spells in 3rd edition. The second is Starlanko, the wizard who penned the spellbook.
Before I go any further, let me note that I am not affiliated with Silven Publishing. However, they are now publishing Bulldogs! supplements on behalf of Galileo Games and I have a product written for Bulldogs! which Silven Publishing will be releasing eventually as a PDF. If that makes sense.
Before I go over the two things I liked so much, let me cover layout and editing. The layout is well done, with two versions available: a black and white printer version and a color cover and border version. The editing is great and I haven’t found any errors that detract from the reading. With the basics taken care of, let me go back to what I liked about the book.
I haven’t had time to playtest the spells yet, but I immediately noticed that each one follows the rules for creating new spells in 3rd edition. For instance, 3rd level spells like acid spit are noted as having a cap of 10 dice of damage.
While evocation spells are going to be useful, I didn’t want a book with coldball or acid bolt or things like that. I was not disappointed. The spells in 50 NWBTU cover spell options not found in the SRD and are flavorful additions to the game. For instance, eruption is a 9th level spell that causes a volcano to erupt. And bonds of lightning is a 4th level spells that holds a target in place and may deal damage.
The spell names vary from somewhat comical to menacing (which goes with the flavorful collecting done by Starlanko that I point out below). For instance, white noise and blowtorch are wonderfully anarchistic. Spells like useful second-level damage causing spell and force beatstick are simply fun to say. However, spells like eternal shadow and darkheart sound menacing and dangerous.
Starlanko is another reason to pick this book up. The PDF doubles as a spellbook that can be given to PCs as an actual spellbook. Gold piece costs are listed to buy the whole thing or sections of spells. I like that.
Starlanko is the author of the spellbook the PC can buy. He is an amusing writer who has gathered a variety of spells for publication in various fantasy worlds.
If you get tired of simple, dry descriptions of spells, try Starlanko’s book. He includes both incantations you say to cast the spell and notes on each spell. For example, in defending his inclusion of the spell, useful second-level damage-causing spell, Starlanko notes, “Oh and yes I know about scorching ray. But a) it was a recent addition; b) it doesn’t have as cool a name; and c) it makes my argument more difficult and thus I choose to ignore it”.
He also refers to the makers of the SRD as Spellcasters by the Sea and talks about what’s-his-name’s acid arrow spell. After wading through the 280 pages of spells in the Spell Compendium and finding nothing but description after description (good descriptions, but dry), I found Starlanko’s dry wit and tongue in cheek humor a refreshing change.
I couldn’t find anything negative to comment on in this PDF since it includes new evocation spells just as promised. I will note that it only includes 48 spells, but with the addition of one new feat and a list of spells useful to classes other than wizards, I figure that puts the content at 50.
If you like spells you’ll want to buy 50 New Ways to Blow Things Up. If you want a supplement that is not only useful but actually entertaining to read, you’ll want to add 50 New Ways to Blow Things Up to your collection.
Review Summary